Actor Eiji Okada

The film also won the international critics prize at the film festival that ended Sept. 4.

The 136-minute film, starring Ken Ogata, Saki Takaoka and others, depicts the journey of an old school principal and a 5-year-old girl living next door.

"Everyone in the world wants real love. It was a great pleasure to be able to prove that," Okuda said.

The film is set for distribution in Japan in December.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 9, 2006
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